What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans. Symptoms of celiac disease can range from the classic features, such as diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition, to latent symptoms such as isolated nutrient deficiencies but no gastrointestinal symptoms. The disease mostly affects people of European (especially Northern European) descent, but recent studies show that it also affects Hispanic, Black and Asian populations as well. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley. Oats used to be considered toxic to those with celiac disease, however, recent scientific research has shown otherwise.

These baked apples are just the way to start your Halloween season. Photo: CC--Healthier Michigan

Filled with nuts and cranberries, these easy to cook baked apples are slow-cooker magic. Top them with sea salt caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got the makings for a memorable treat. These baked apples are just the way to start your Halloween season.

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) testing is a sensitive adjunct to the diagnosis of coeliac disease. The threshold for positivity was developed for diagnosis, with negative results reported as below the reference value (<4 U/mL).

A team of researchers recently set out to investigate if an undetectable tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (tTG IgA<1.2 U/mL) is more predictive of healing compared to patients with negative but detectable serology (1.2-3.9 U/mL).

Despite the economic downturn, the cost of healthy products has not diminished. Sales have continued to grow in this sector thanks to the many information campaigns aimed at raising consumer awareness of the health benefits of consuming gluten free products. Manufacturers have responded to the growing demand by expanding the variety of products they offer. Many consumers, including those that cannot eat gluten, do not want to give up eating products specially designed for them although they cost even more than traditional food. The demand for products that address food intolerance continues to grow.

A Merrill Lynch broker in Denver has sued the firm in federal court, claiming that its systemic "sabotage" of his relationship with clients during and following two medical leaves have cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In a case filed this summer in federal court in Colorado, Kirk Kringel, a broker with Merrill since 2010, alleges that the company violated his rights under the Family Medical Leave Act by retaliating against him for taking the two medical leaves, including one that was related to celiac disease.

New trial data suggests that the probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum Heal 9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 may provide support for the immune system and delay the onset of gluten intolerance in children.

The findings, recently presented at the International Celiac Disease Symposium in New Delhi, suggest that Probi's patented probiotic strains have a 'surprisingly consistent' effect on suppressing coeliac autoimmunity and may delay the onset of the disease in children who are genetically pre-disposed to the condition.

Gluten-free doesn't have to be complicated or confusing. It can be easy and delicious without thinking twice about the processed foods in the food stores. Simply eat Clean. What's Clean, you say? It's about eating real, wholesome, naturally gluten-free foods and steering clear of processed, packaged foods.

Halloween is once again upon us, and that means candy galore, and plenty of questions about gluten-free candy. Here is Celiac.com's list of Safe Gluten-free Candy for Halloween 2017.

This year, we offer our most up-to-date list of safe, gluten-free Halloween candies, and anther list of candies to watch out for. Below our SAFE, GLUTEN-FREE Halloween candy list, you will find a list of UNSAFE, NON–GLUTEN–FREE candies, along with a partial list of major candy makers, links to their company websites, and other resources.

As people eat less processed foods, and more people adopt a gluten-free diet, manufacturers are selling less and less refined wheat flour, less bread, rolls, and cereals.

Consumption of wheat is plummeting, and that has the people who grow wheat wondering what to do.

Well, one thing wheat growers can do is hire researchers to study the problem in such a way that the logical conclusion is that foods made from refined grains, such as breads, rolls, and cereals, aren’t really that bad after all.

For anyone following the efforts by ImmusanT to develop a vaccine for celiac disease, the company's recent presentations at the 2017 International Celiac Disease Symposium (ICDS) in New Delhi, India, were welcome news.

Nexvax2® is a therapeutic vaccine intended to protect against the effects of gluten exposure while maintaining a gluten-free diet in HLA-DQ2.5+ patients with celiac disease.

The company announced at ICDS 2017 that it has presented data showing the immunologic basis for the early clinical effects of gluten in celiac disease.

On November 9th, Beyond Celiac will host the first ever Bold Beyond Research Symposium, bringing together noted researchers, clinicians and community members to explore the current state and future directions of celiac disease research. The Symposium, a free event, will be held on the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia also webcast to a live audience worldwide. The event, sponsored in part by CBS Radio Philadelphia, will spur dialogue about research/community partnerships and drive celiac disease community involvement.

What is it about the Internet that seems to bring out the worst in some people? In this case, internet trolls making nasty comments about reality star and popular UK country singer Megan McKenna.

The body-shaming began almost immediately after McKenna posted two photos of herself on Instagram this summer. According to BuzzFeed, comments calling her things like "boney" and a "skinny rat," flooded in.

McKenna recently explained that, at the time the photos were taken, she was in the hospital dealing with the the effects of a medical condition.

The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG) is suing celebrity chef Jamie Oliver for using a logo on his gluten-free recipes that is similar to that of the GIG's Gluten-Free Certification Organization logo.

Although there is no disagreement that Mr. Oliver's recipes are indeed gluten-free, a judge and jury may need to decide whether or not he is violating their trademark by using a similar graphic on his recipes.

Celiac Disease is a global disease and affects almost 0.7% of the world's population. In India, researchers estimate that celiac disease affects about six to eight million Indians. Rates in the north India community are 1 in 100.

In a bid to discuss and explore the best ways to address the challenges faced by patients with celiac disease and the way forward, the 17th International Celiac Disease Symposium (ICDS 2017) was held for the first time in Asia from the 8th to the 10th of September 2017.

ICDS offers a platform for researchers, gastroenterologists, clinical scientists, nutritionists, and other relevant industry leaders from across the globe to gather and address common challenges faced by patients living with celiac disease.

Patients who have clinical, genetic and histological signs of celiac disease, but no serological markers, present a challenge when it comes to making a diagnosis. If the patient doesn't have elevated antibodies, what signs do doctors look for? What's the best way to evaluate the patient's natural history and response to a gluten-free diet?

A team of researchers recently set out to outline a specific profile, and to evaluate the natural history and response to a gluten-free diet of patients with seronegative celiac disease.